Interview with SwissCham Indonesia Chairman Luthfi Mardiansyah
In this month’s edition we decided to zoom in on economic relations between Switzerland and Indonesia, two countries that are both blessed with natural beauty. Although a quick look at the available data shows that trade and investment flows between both nations are quite small, we detected quite a lot of interesting activity in recent years that could – and should – lead to a boost in investment and trade between both countries.
Interesting activity involves, firstly, the establishment of the Swiss Business Hub Indonesia in 2017. This institution, which is part of the Swiss embassy in Jakarta, is the key contact point for Switzerland’s small and medium-sized enterprises that are looking to expand into the Indonesian market (while it also assists those Indonesian companies that seek to invest in Switzerland).
Secondly, SwissCham Indonesia was established in August 2018. This institution serves as a platform for Swiss companies that are active in Indonesia to enhance their networks in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. It not only involves networking among Swiss and Indonesian companies/institutions, but also between the private sector and the Indonesian government. Improved communication between all involved sides should then lead to an improvement in the business and investment environment of Indonesia.
Thirdly, in December 2018, Indonesia and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), consisting of non-European Union member countries Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland, finally signed the Indonesia-EFTA Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Therefore, it is interesting to sit down with the Chairman of SwissCham Indonesia, Luthfi Mardiansyah, and ask his opinion about the trade and investment relations between both countries and, in particular, his opinion about the future potential.
This article discusses the following:
- An update on direct investment realization between Indonesia and Switzerland
- An overview of trade flows between Indonesia and Switzerland
- Opportunities presented by the Indonesia-EFTA CEPA
- Interview with Mr Mardiansyah in which he expresses his views on trade and investment between Indonesia and Switzerland as well as his views on Indonesia's investment environment (and how this environment can be improved)
Read the full article in the August 2019 edition of our monthly research report. You can purchase the report by sending an email to info@indonesia-investments.com or a WhatsApp message to the following number: +62(0)8788.410.6944
